This fall, New York joined a growing number of states that have restricted the use of smartphones in schools. Students in public schools are now prohibited from using the devices from the first bell to the last, unless they have a qualified exemption. While educators generally supported banning phone access during instructional time, some had opposed a blanket ban that covered free periods as well. Many raised concerns over how they could protect the privacy of students who needed to use phones for medical, family or educational reasons. But nearly two months into the new school year, many Long Island educators said the rollout has played out “better than expected.” Read more on the impact of the school cellphone ban at the link in bio. - - #longisland #longislandny #liny #longislandnewyork #suffolkcountyny #nassaucountyny #albany #cellphone #phones #govhochul #kathyhochul #longislandschools #reelsig #linkinbio